Type: Events

Governor Hobbs Signs Bill Eliminating Administrative Fees in Juvenile Court 

Persistence pays off! On May 26th, after 3 years of advocacy, Governor Hobbs eliminated the burdensome administrative fees routinely levied on children involved in the juvenile court system when she signed SB 1197 into law.  No longer will youth and their families be charged administrative fees for things like diversion programs, probation supervision, access to public defenders, and even to set up payment plans. No longer will children be saddled with debt stemming from these fees well into their adulthood with devastating consequences to their credit. No longer will they be unable to get the student loans, car loans, and rental leases they need to make a fresh start. Instead, these young people will have a fair shot to learn from their mistakes and move forward without being dragged down by the weight of unnecessary court fees.   

Children’s Action Alliance is grateful to Governor Hobbs, bill sponsor Senator David Gowan, co-sponsor Representative Alma Hernandez, and to the legislature for its strong bi-partisan support. We also thank the broad coalition of advocates lead by STAND for Children Arizona and supported by the Berkeley Law Public Advocacy Clinic for their steadfast efforts and are especially grateful to the Arizona youth and families who told their stories and spoke out against these unjust fees.  

 To learn more: watch an explainer video about the issue.

Arizona's Voters Deserve a Say in the State's Budget

The voices of voters are once again being silenced. After several moves that are undemocratic, lacking in transparency and clearly an attempt to rush through billions of dollars of taxpayer money with almost zero input from the public, the final floor vote is set for tomorrow morning.   

 At 5pm yesterday evening, the state legislature introduced its slate of budget bills publicly. The budget details, negotiated between the Governor’s Office and Republican Leadership, were released and committee hearings were held less than 24 hours later. The public had little to no chance to review the content, synthesize the material or share their feedback on an approximately $17 BILLION budget. This budget is made up of tax dollars paid for by you, the citizens of Arizona. This is a continuation of the pattern of silencing the voices of voters in recent years. 

 Worse, the House Appropriations committee, in a partisan move, immediately combined all 17 bills into one vote. And then limited members ability to ask questions of staff about the content. They allowed zero public comment on the measures. This even though members of the public had taken time to be present to testify. 

 Questions and concerns from Representatives as well as stakeholders and other members of the public had begun to bubble up, in particular about the long-term budget ramifications of the failure to place a cap or any meaningful oversight on the out-of-control expansion of Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA’s).

Rather than hear or work to address those concerns in the only public forum the citizens have once budget bills are released, Committee leadership chose to close ranks and shut out dissent. 

 Children’s Action Alliance and the Arizona Center for Economic Progress believe strongly that citizens should take every opportunity to participate in the process of government and have their voice heard and that lawmakers have a duty to listen to those they represent, even the ones they disagree with.   

 *CAA and the AZ Center will have additional analysis of the budget proposal in the coming days.   

Please Turn In Your Signature Petitions NOW!

In three weeks, Save Our Schools Arizona turns in signatures to stop yet another universal voucher scheme — they need them back ASAP! 

This year’s ill advised, universal voucher expansion already has 6500+ applicants, the vast majority of which have NEVER stepped foot in a public school. Vouchers have never been about “choice”: it’s about subsidizing private education while defunding public schools. This number will expand dramatically over the next few months if we do not turn in 118,823 valid signatures by Sept. 23 — stripping hundreds of millions from our public school classrooms, teachers, and children.  

 We have got to get this job done and stop this horrific bill in its tracks. That means we need every signature and every petition back ASAP. We’ve got this, but only if everyone does their part.  

 Save Our Schools has events all over the state where you can notarize & return signatures: teamsosarizona.com/signature-slam/ 

 Find a notary here: teamsosarizona.com/notary/ 

 Public schools are on the line. Find detailed directions HERE for turn-in.  

 

RESILIENCE Through the Eyes of a Child, Tuesday, October 25

Thank you to all our sponsors and attendees for their support of our mission!

Children's Action Alliance is proud to honor amazing community members and elected officials who support children and families.

2022 HONOREES

Horace Steele Child Advocacy Award Honoree

SHAWN PEARSON, Founder of Zion Institute

Jacque Steiner Public Leadership Award Honoree

SENATOR LELA ALSTON

Jacque Steiner Public Leadership Posthumous Award Honoree

SENATOR DAVE BRADLEY

Meet Our 2021 Honorees

On Thursday, we will celebrate two extraordinary leaders at Healing Through the Eyes of a Child fundraiser - Will Humble and Silvana Salcido Esparza. Will and Silvana are outspoken and passionate Arizonans who are not afraid to stand up for children and families. Through their service and random acts of kindness, both honorees have made a positive impact in communities during the pandemic.

We look forward to honoring them tomorrow, and we invite you to take a closer look at why we think they are so extraordinary. Once you see the interviews, you will agree, tomorrow’s event is one not to miss.

It's not too late! Get your tickets right here. Right now.

Get a sneak peek - Healing Through the Eyes of a Child is next week

Healing Through the Eyes of a Child is next Thursday, October 28. Do you have your tickets? You don’t want to miss this one. We can’t wait to reconnect with our partners, coalition members, sponsors, and donors to celebrate the 2021 honorees, Will Humble and Silvana Salcido Esparza.

Join us to raise awareness and funds to support the work we do – advocating for the well-being of Arizona children and families. The evening reception will be outdoors with entertainment from the Arizona School of the Arts’ Guitar Ensemble and a silent auction featuring one-of-a-kind art from the students at Solano Elementary School at the University Club of Phoenix. We will follow CDC guidelines and require guests to wear masks when indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

Time is running out. If you don’t have tickets, get them now and get a sneak peek of our auction items.

See you next week!

Calling all baseball fans!

Thanks to a generous donation from Jo Ellen Alberhasky, in memory of Steve Olson, we are excited to feature signed baseballs, bobbleheads, hundreds of vintage baseball cards, and more collectible baseball and other sports memorabilia. These boxes are sure to include hidden treasures!

We also have tickets to ASU Baseball and AZ Diamondbacks games!

Better than ever student artwork!

Solano Elementary School in the Osborn School District has donated ten pieces of amazing student artwork inspired by Hispanic Heritage Month, their school’s garden, and books they have read. Don’t miss these 24x36 framed one-of-a-kind masterpieces!

Join us for Healing: Through the Eyes of a Child, October 28th

We miss you!

Let’s reconnect to support the well-being of children, to honor child advocates who made a remarkable difference during an unimaginable year, and to again show our commitment to help create an Arizona where all children thrive.

When?

October 28th, 2021

5:00PM-8:00PM

Where?

University Club of Phoenix

39 E. Monte Vista Road

Phoenix, Arizona 85004

Honorees

Jacque Steiner Public Leadership Award

Will Humble, Director of Marketing & Public Relations and Executive Director, Arizona Public Health Association (AzPHA)

Horace Steele Child Advocacy Award

Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza, Chef, Activist, Entrepreneur